The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Summer break with difference

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Thursday, May 05, 2011
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Summer break with difference

Special Correspondent

School students to take part in research programme

— Photo: K.V.SRINIVASAN.

(From left) IIT-M Director M.S.Ananth, PSBB group of Schools Correspondent Sheela Rajendra, U.S. Consul General Andrew T. Simkin and PSBB group of schools Dean and Director Mrs. Y.G. Parthasarathy, at the inauguration of the RSI programme in Chennai on Wednesday.

CHENNAI: Nearly 40 students from different schools will have an unconventional summer break. No tuitions, no coaching classes, no summer camps or trips. They will spend about five weeks on the IIT-Madras campus as participants of the summer programme being organised by the Research Science Initiative (RSI), Chennai.

RSI, the brainchild of the Dean and Director of PSBB group of schools Mrs. Y.G. Parthasarathy, was conceived as an annual summer programme where about 35 select students from various schools, will participate in an intensive research programme under the guidance of seasoned academics.

The programme is conducted by the Padma Seshadri group of schools, in collaboration with IIT-Madras and the Chennai Mathematical Institute. Professors from the collaborating institutions and other partnering institutions such as the Institute of Mathematical Sciences, Anna University and Sastra University will speak on various science disciplines that they specialise in and mentor students on a research project that they will take up during the programme.

The participants were selected from about 170 applicants, based on preliminary screening by the schools and an interview.

Inaugurating the programme at IIT-Madras on Wednesday, U.S. Consul General Andrew T. Simkin said the inter-disciplinary nature of the programme would make it very exciting for students and contribute towards broadening their perspective of science.

Spirit of enquiry

Observing that the principles of scientific enquiry were applicable to all fields, he said the rigour of logical thought that the programme offers, would nurture the students' spirit of enquiry.

Director of IIT-Madras and Chief Patron of RSI-Chennai M.S. Ananth said learning in an environment where teaching and learning is not centred around examinations made RSI a very useful experience for students.

Speaking on the various components of education and the pursuit of knowledge, Prof. Ananth said education was also directed towards building character.

Agreeing with him, Mrs.Y.G.P. said that the emphasis on character building was crucial in the context of education. Urging students to enjoy and learn in the dynamic present, she said the summer programme was well-rounded for it not only covered different disciplines in science but also included sessions on art, culture and sports.

Deputy Dean and Director, and Correspondent of PSBB groups of Schools Sheela Rajendra, and one of the chairpersons of RSI-Chennai K. Mangala Sankar also spoke.

Changing outlook

Sarat Kumar Pandian, a student who was part of the programme last year, said the experience changed his outlook towards academics. “I used to study just for marks earlier. But now, I see how every simple principle learnt builds up to a bigger concept. We were taught to see things in perspective and that has changed my approach to learning.”

J. Mathangi, a student of Bharathi Vidyalaya, Sholinganallur participating in the programme this year, said she was intrigued by the research component of the programme.

“I have never heard of research at school level. This sounded very exciting. I am also looking forward to the lab visits,” she said.

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